Experience a side of Japan few discover
Fewer than 2% of inbound tourists visit Tohoku, the northeastern region of Japan’s main island. While legendary powder snow and remote ski resorts are drawing more winter visitors, countless gems remain unknown to Tohoku outsiders. Rich in history and traditional culture, Tohoku is also home to four national parks, including the Sanriku Fukko National Park, which stretches 220 km along the Pacific Coast.
Formed in 2013 following the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011, this new national park is home to the Michinoku Coastal Trail—a 1,000 km trail opened in 2019. Hiking the entire trail would take nearly two months, but some of its best sections can be explored in just a week, or even sampled over a few days.
Northern Japan Horizons is your gateway to experiencing this path less trodden. Locally based, we offer access to adventures and potentially transformative experiences in the remote regions of Tohoku.
Spend a week exploring the most beautiful stretches of the Michinoku Coastal Trail with a local guide. Hike across beaches, along cliffs, through hand-carved tunnels, and into coastal forests. Kayak past rock formations so awe-inspiring that Buddhist monks from centuries ago named them heaven on earth. Meet locals who lived through the tsunami, listen to their stories of survival, and learn the lessons they carry from it.
Over the course of a week, you’ll walk the trails, take to the sea by kayak, and cycle along the coast. The natural beauty of the landscape and the resilience of the locals may awaken new possibilities and help you to see beyond your own horizon.
Whether you want to hike along the coast, cycle through pastoral towns, climb inland volcanoes, or embark on a winter adventure to see the famous snow monsters or snowshoe to a frozen waterfall, Northern Japan Horizons can make it happen.
Awaken the Adventurer Within – in Northern Japan!
TOHOKU
Tohoku consists of the northernmost six prefectures on Japan’s main island and has the lowest population density in all of Japan. It’s home to four national parks, including the Sanriku Fukko National Park that spans 220km along the Pacific Coast. The MCT offers an excellent way to explore the highlights of the park. A day trip to visit some of the most stunning views is an option for those without multiple days to explore the area more fully.
Morioka is centrally located in the northern, more scenic area of Tohoku, and is a perfect location to set out on adventures into more remote areas. Getting there is easy, as it’s just 2 hours and 10 minutes from Tokyo station by shinkansen, and 45 minutes from Hanamaki Airport providing easy access from Sapporo, Osaka, and Fukuoka.
Tohoku is also the breadbasket of Japan, offering the best fresh vegetables, meat, rice, and seafood. It’s also home to the Nanbu Toji, the largest federation of traditional sake brewers in the world. So in between outdoor adventures in the mountains or on the coast, fill up on the best cuisine Japan has to offer.